PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Rookie Shawn Marion and Luc Longley keyed a
big second-quarter run as the Phoenix Suns handed the Minnesota
Timberwolves their second pummeling in as many nights, 101-85.

Marion tallied 10 points and Longley eight in a 26-6 burst to
open the second quarter that helped the Suns open a commanding
53-31 advantage with four minutes left in the half.

Cliff Robinson and All-Star Jason Kidd netted 16 points apiece
for the Suns, who won their sixth straight home game and
improved to 21-5 overall at America West Arena. Phoenix also
clinched a winning home mark for the 31st straight season.

"We're playing a lot better," Robinson said. "I think that we're
doing a lot better to make sure that guys are coming back and
fitting in. Guys are sacrificing their games to make the
adjustments."

Longley had 14 points and a season-high 12 rebounds and Marion
also scored 14 for Phoenix, which enters the All-Star break with
a 29-19 record. In last season's lockout-shortened campaign,
the Suns went 27-23.

"To be 29-19 in my opinion, as I told the guys, is a great
accomplishment from them, considering what they've been
through," said Suns coach Scott Skiles. "We're happy with six
out of seven, going into the break. We're feeling good about
ourselves right now."

Sam Mitchell netted 16 points and Kevin Garnett had a season-low
10 and 13 rebounds for the Wolves, who were coming off
Wednesday's 114-81 drubbing at the hands of the Los Angeles
Lakers.

Garnett finished just 5-of-21 from the field but was able to
score in double figures for the 176th straight.

"I think these last few games show that when you relax and when
you don't come out with that focus or edge, you get beat up
pretty bad," Garnett said. "The NBA's crazy like that. You have
one night when you're great and one night when you're terrible.
The best thing is that tomorrow is another day."

The Timberwolves enter the break with a 27-20 mark after going
25-25 last season.

Mitchell, who made 6-of-11 shots, gave the Wolves their last
lead at 25-23 with 31 seconds left in the first period. Phoenix
scored the last four points of the quarter and then took control
to start the second.

Longley and Marion each scored a basket to trigger the decisive
burst that Robinson capped with two free throws with 3:59 to
play before intermission that opened a 53-31 bulge.

During the run, the Suns made 11-of-14 shots while Minnesota
connected on just 2-of-14 attempts. Phoenix shot 60 percent
(25-of-42) in the half while holding the Wolves to 44 percent
(17-of-39).

The Suns opened the third quarter like they finished the second,
using a 13-4 burst, capped by a jumper from Kidd to take their
biggest lead, 72-43, with 7:13 left in the period.

Penny Hardaway (12), Tom Gugliotta (10) and Randy Livingston
(10) also scored in double figures for the Suns, who shot 49
percent (38-of-78) and held a 47-44 rebounding edge.

Minnesota, which trailed by at least 15 points the entire second
half, shot 39 percent (35-of-89).